Tag Archives: chambray shirt

Rainy Day Outfit

December 28, 2015 Casual Friday

Over the weekend we spent Christmas Day with Jason’s family and then we drove from Indiana back to Illinois to have Christmas with my family. Sadly, we did not have a White Christmas. Instead, it rained on our entire drive from Indiana to Illinois. Although, to be honest, I suppose that was better than having to drive in a snow storm.

Vest – Groopdealz (similar) | Shirt – LOFT (similar) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Boots- Kamik (similar)

We have lovely Christmas celebrations with both our families, came home to a sleepy puppy, and now I’m back to work for a few days before I’m off for New Year’s.

Did you celebrate this past week? Do you have New Year’s plans?

By the way, if you’re looking for rain boot alternative to the ubiquitous Hunters, especially if you have larger-than-average calves, I can highly recommend Kamik boots. I’ve had these for 5+ years and other than a few scuffs they’re like new. And they fit my calves with pants tucked in, which is more than I can say for most rain boots.

		chambray shirt, rain boots, vest

SIA: Thanksgiving Edition

November 30, 2015 Office Appropriate Outfits - Fall · Style Imitating Art

Happy Monday! For those of you who celebrated Thanksgiving this past Thursday I hope it was lovely. For those of you who just had a normal weekend, I hope it was lovely, too.

I spent the weekend eating and hanging out with my family at my parents’ house. I took the opportunity to put together an outfit for this week’s Style Imitating Art challenge that highlighted the black, tan and blue in the painting “Freedom from Want“.

Dress as a skirt – Le Tote (same) | Sweater – Loft via Goodwill (similar) | Shirt – Old Navy (similar) | Necklace – New York & Co (similar)

I took advantage of my parents’ house and chose to take the photos in their dining room to also echo the painting.

My parents have lived in their current house for just over 10 years so although I didn’t grow up there, by now it’s definitely “home”. I think it’s so interesting that no matter where I go or where I live it’s wherever my mom is that I consider “home”.

P.S. When Le Tote sends you a short sleeved dress in the fall, what do you do? You turn it into a skirt, of course! I originally was going to wear this with just the sweater over it but at the last minute I added the button-up. I think it ended up adding just the right amount of interest as well as an additional layer to help me stay warm.

This is the second time I’ve gotten this dress from Le Tote. You can see the first outfit I put together with it here.

Don’t forget you can sign up for Le Tote and get $25 off your first month with code ERIN25!

		black, blue, chambray shirt, dress as a skirt, le tote, oatmeal, polka dots, tan

The Hunt For Brown October

October 1, 2015 Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Fall

For at least a year I’ve seen women wearing brown flats. They’re all pretty similar and pretty basic. But, look, a casual brown flat is something I don’t have and something I find myself wishing I could reach for all the time.

For example, I saw this outfit on Pinterest and knew I had all the pieces to recreate it…except for brown shoes. So, instead, leopard to the rescue!

Vest – Old Navy swapped from Jen (similar) | Top – Old Navy (similar) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Shoes – Steven c/o Shopbop (similar)

Still, I’m on the lookout for brown flats. I ordered these from Zappos but when they arrived I noticed several things:

They came up MUCH higher on my foot at the toes than I like. The vamp, I believe it’s called, covered up my tattoo and just looked really dowdy. However, if you don’t like “toe cleavage” then you might like the rise.
The color wasn’t uniform. It was mottled and lighter in spots and darker in others.
The heel still slipped even though it fit fine in the width at the toe.

So, back they went! I’ve now got these on order. My red MIA flats have lasted me for over 10 years at this point so I think if these fit they should last me awhile. If they don’t work, though, I think my next try will be these. Although, I have a Zappos gift card so I’d prefer to order from there. Suggestions are welcome!

P.S. These are probably the last photos on my rooftop for awhile. Apparently they are closing it to repair our building’s roof. Sad face for me but I suppose a happy face for the people who are tired of leaks.

		black skinny jeans, cargo vest, chambray shirt, leopard flats, olive

An Anniversary Memorial

June 4, 2015 Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Summer

On May 25, 2003 Jason and I got married on a cool, windy day outside a restaurant overlooking a golf course in our hometown of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Twelve years later, on a cool, windy day in Chicago we celebrated by going to Dave and Buster’s and winning a giant banana.

It may not be a wedding dress, but this is what I wore for our anniversary outing.

Our anniversary typically falls on or near Memorial Day weekend and this year it was on Memorial Day itself. I admit, I felt a bit costume-y wearing camo and a necklace made out of a bullet on the day when we honor those we lost to war. Maybe my outfit was a tad insensitive but I didn’t think about that until afterward!

Regardless, I wore it again to work the next week on a random day that didn’t have any specific military connotations. Because I liked the outfit anyway.

And this time I even had a pedicure to go with my sandals. (Ugh. Worst segue ever.)

I was visiting my mom this past weekend and she offered to give me a pedicure. I wasn’t going to turn her down! Now, if I can just get her to do one every few weeks. You hear that, mom?

		camouflage, chambray shirt, rocksbox, sandals

Then and Now [Vol. 7]

May 27, 2015 Casual Clothes · Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Spring · Then and Now

As mentioned yesterday, I wanted to show you a casual way to wear my new wood watch from JORD. Today’s casual outfit, however, might look really familiar since it’s almost the same as what I wore the last time I was in Arizona. Except this time I swapped the black jeans for dark denim, the plain chambray for polka dots, and wore it open over a white tee. So, uh, I guess it’s not quite the same. Except for the scarf and the shoes. And the watch of course.

Once again, I wore this outfit when it was still chilly in Chicago. Lately we’ve had warmer weather so thankfully these layers aren’t really necessary. Although, to be honest, I was finally getting the hang of layering!

+13

		chambray shirt, gray boots, plaid, polka dots, scarf

Feelings of Deja Vu

April 29, 2015 Casual Clothes · Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Spring

I know, I know, I just did a Then and Now post. But today’s outfit IS really similar to one I wore back in December. Just, you know, updated for spring!

Scarf – gift (similar) | Vest – Old Navy swapped with Jen (similar) | Shirt – Target (similar) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Shoes – Sperry (same)

And, if we’re being honest, I basically wore a version of this outfit all weekend. On Saturday I wore these jeans, a graphic tee, and a chambray shirt open over the top. Plus boots because it was raining.

On Sunday I wore these jeans, the chambray shirt, a different scarf, and these shoes. And my gray puffer vest.

And here we are today. That’s the nice thing about weekends. You don’t see the same people you work with so no one has to know how many days in a row you wore essentially the same outfit.

Except those of you that I saw this weekend and who are now reading this post. But you won’t tell, right?

And, yes, if you’re keeping track I did indeed cheat on the Top 10 Remix over the weekend. So sue me.

+10

		black skinny jeans, cargo vest, chambray shirt, military jacket, olive, scarf, silver shoes

What to wear in the mountains

February 10, 2015 Casual Clothes · Casual Friday

Although Jason and I had to fly to Arizona last week for a not-so-fun reason, I have to admit that I was a bit loathe to return to Chicago. Why? Well, for one, the views are amazing. The other? It was in the 50s! I was able to wear this outfit without a coat!

Scarf – J. Crew Factory (similar) | Shirt – LOFT (same) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Shoes – H by Hudson c/o Shopbop (same)

I actually wore this outfit on the plane. I always bring a scarf in case it’s cold and these boots are perfect for plane travel because they slip on and off easily. This shirt is really, really soft and the jeans fit me well.

I also felt like I fit right in while in Flagstaff. It’s not a very fancy town so plaid, chambray, jeans and boots are all perfect for the casual, rustic, rural vibe.

Do you have a typical go-to travel outfit?

+108

		black skinny jeans, chambray shirt, gray boots, plaid, scarf

I need a new shirt

January 8, 2015 Casual Friday

Today you get a “real blogger beauty” photo. What do I mean by that? I mean we took it last night after I’d worked all day (and gone to the gym). You get end-of-day make-up and end-of-day hair. Proof that I really wore this to work, I suppose.

Sweater – The Limited (same) | Shirt – Old Navy (similar) | Jeans – Henry & Belle (same) | Boots – Sam Edelman c/o Shopbop (same) | Bag – Nine West (same)

Jason and I braved the coldest temperatures of the year (not kidding) and met for drinks after work at Bar Takito which is right next to the train stop and around the corner from Chewie’s day care. So these photos are post-drink as well.

Also, I need shopping advice. Yes. Me. I need to know where your favorite chambray shirt is from (if you own one that you love). This one is just a tad too short on me and I don’t love that it’s a bit stiff. And the collar acts funny. So, I need a replacement. I’m intrigued by the one I linked above from Express but I’d love to crowdsource some ideas as well.

I’ll even take you out for a drink.

+13

		chambray shirt, polka dots, riding boots, sweater

Puppy Update (and an outfit)

August 13, 2014 Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Summer

If you don’t follow me on Instagram or are friends with me on Facebook you might have missed that my puppy Chewie hurt himself at the dog park two weekends ago. Nothing too serious; he basically scraped up his leg while attempting to jump onto a concrete ledge.

Jason took him to vet last Thursday for one last check-up and he was given the all clear to lose the bandage. Thank goodness because keeping Chewie from eating it was driving me crazy!

Anyway, they got done at the vet about the time I was getting home so I met them in the courtyard outside our apartment building for some outfit photography. With the iPhone. Because I forgot to bring the camera.

Shirt – Old Navy (similar) | Jeans – AG Adriano Goldschmeid (similar) | Shoes – Sole Society (same) | Necklace – Clothing swap (similar)

You can see his healing scrape in this photo. Poor baby!

We haven’t been able to take him to the dog park in almost two weeks because he had to keep the injury dry. As you can imagine, a 10 month old puppy who loves the dog park is going a bit stir crazy without his outlet and daily dog-on-dog interaction.

It’s a good thing he’s so cute.

+17

		chambray shirt, silver shoes, white jeans

Ankle Baring

January 13, 2014 Office Appropriate Outfits - Winter

Blazer – J. Crew (same) | Shirt – Target (similar) | Pants – The Limited (same) | Shoes – MIA via Macy’s (similar) | Necklace – The Limited (same)

Yes, I am still sticking to the #blackoutstyle challenge by wearing a navy (yes, this blazer is navy) instead of a black blazer. I figure that it’s only appropriate to wear today, the day after my birthday, since this navy J. Crew Schoolboy blazer was a joint birthday gift from my father and my husband last year.

I haven’t worn this blazer much recently but today was the perfect day to pair it with my new red ankle pants. I’m always wary of wearing ankle pants in the winter but since it’s supposed to be a bit warmer this week I thought, hey, why not. I didn’t want these pants to have to stay hidden until spring!

Other ways I’ve worn these items

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